Royal Oaks Revival: A New Path for Wildfire Survivors Amid Modular Home Rebuild Setback

Photo byJane Vaughan / JPR

Three years after the devastating Almeda Fire, the long-awaited rebuild of Royal Oaks Mobile Manor for wildfire survivors is back on track with a new manufacturer—this time, aiming for lasting solutions.

In the aftermath of the 2020 Labor Day wildfires, Royal Oaks Mobile Manor in Phoenix, Oregon, was reduced to ash, leaving many families displaced. In 2021, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) stepped in, purchasing 118 modular homes to rebuild the community. Groundbreaking began in November 2022, with initial projections promising move-in by September 2023. However, a major setback surfaced when the homes were found to be defective, with mold, water leaks, and structural issues, stalling the much-needed recovery.

In June 2023, the state allocated an additional $17 million to replace the defective homes, but this time the Housing Authority of Jackson County took control of the project. By selecting InteliFab, a local construction company based in Klamath Falls, the county intends to ensure higher quality and accountability. Ryan Haynes, the director of real estate development for the housing authority, emphasized that they are taking a far more hands-on approach this time around.

“We're going to be involved every step of the way. This factory will allow us to show up unannounced, inspect the work, and guarantee that everything is done to a first-class standard, which didn’t happen with the previous units,” Haynes explained. This oversight marks a stark contrast to the original plan, where the homes—manufactured by Nashua Builders in Boise—were deemed unlivable after months of waiting for proper installation.

The first 40 units from InteliFab are now in production, with initial move-ins anticipated as early as April. Two additional orders, totaling about 80 more units, are slated for later stages. Although the delay has caused frustration, Haynes remains optimistic. “We’re finally on the right path. While the journey has taken longer than we hoped, we believe the project is moving forward in the right direction.”

Meanwhile, legal proceedings continue between OHCS and Nashua Builders over the defects in the original homes. Some have questioned whether the prolonged storage time before installation contributed to the damage. However, OHCS maintains that the problems stemmed from manufacturing flaws rather than the months the homes sat unused.

In the interim, the damaged modular homes have been removed from Royal Oaks and stored in Medford, awaiting further action.

For the residents of Royal Oaks, many of whom have been living in temporary shelters since 2020, the rebuild represents more than just new housing—it’s a fresh start. Previous residents will be prioritized, and all potential tenants must meet certain income eligibility criteria. The nonprofit ACCESS, which has been assisting fire survivors, remains hopeful. In a statement, ACCESS shared: "We are currently waiting for clearance from OHCS or the Housing Authority to move forward with qualifying fire survivors for Royal Oaks. We’re happy to see movement in a positive direction and look forward to helping place fire survivors."

While the road to recovery has been long and fraught with setbacks, the community now looks forward to finally turning the page on this painful chapter and creating a new future where wildfire survivors can rebuild their lives.